When you get up early to go to the gym, you're not just looking for a warming drink; you also want a boost for your joints, connective tissues, and skin. That's where the hot collagen, cinnamon, and oat milk latte comes in: a simple, delicious, and beneficial recipe . Today, we're sharing not only the recipe for this latte , but also the reasons why collagen is a valuable ally for athletes, and how to intelligently incorporate it into your routine.

A word about the Squad Nutrition brand and its collagen

Before getting into the heart of the matter, here are some details about Squad Nutrition and its collagen which is used in the recipe.

• Squad Nutrition is a French brand of nutritional supplements, offering performance-enhancing ranges: proteins (whey, gainer), BCAAs, creatine… and marine collagen.

• Marine collagen, labeled Peptan® , is pure and sourced from MSC-certified sustainable fishing.

• The goal: to offer a supplement that supports joints, tendons, skin elasticity, while being easily mixed into hot or cold drinks.

I use this collagen

The advantage of this collagen in hot drinks is that it doesn't break down or clump if you mix it well with a whisk or milk frother. Now, on to the recipe.

Recipe: Hot latte with collagen, cinnamon & oat milk

Ingredients (for 1 cup)

• 200 mL of oat milk (or plant-based drink of your choice)
• 1 serving of Squad Nutrition collagen (~10-11 g)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (or to taste)
• A pinch of vanilla
• Optional: mild sweetener (stevia, honey, agave syrup)
  

Preparation

1. Heat the oat milk gently in a small saucepan (over low heat), until it is thoroughly heated but not boiling.
2. Meanwhile, pour the portion of collagen into your cup or bowl.
3. Add cinnamon and vanilla to the collagen.
4. When the milk is hot, gradually pour it over the collagen + cinnamon + vanilla mixture, stirring with a whisk or milk frother (you can make a light foam if you want).
5. Taste, adjust if necessary with cinnamon or sweetener.
6. Enjoy it immediately while it's hot.
   

Tip: start by pouring in a little milk, mix to dissolve the collagen, then add the rest of the hot milk (this helps to avoid lumps).

Why include collagen in a latte? (and its benefits)

Collagen for athletes

Collagen is a protein, but not like whey: it does not provide all the essential amino acids (in particular, it is low in tryptophan). However, it plays a structural role in connective tissues: tendons, ligaments, skin, cartilage.

For an athlete, this can help to:

• to limit joint pain or promote connective tissue repair
• to improve the resilience of tendons/ligaments subjected to stress
• contributes to skin quality, which is an aesthetic bonus

Therefore, adding collagen daily (via a morning drink or latte) provides noticeable joint comfort after a few weeks. Of course, this all depends on the individual, training intensity, and other nutritional factors.

The choice of oat milk & cinnamon

• Oat milk is an excellent plant-based option: creamy, light, and mixes well.
• Cinnamon adds not only flavour, but also antioxidants.
• In summary, you get a drink that “keeps you warm”, is pleasant to drink, and provides you with a “collagen bonus”.

Limitations and precautions

• Collagen does not replace a complete protein source : for your muscle development, you need to continue to consume complete proteins (whey, eggs, etc.).
• If you are allergic to fish, be careful: Squad Nutrition's marine collagen comes from fish (so it's not suitable for those with an allergy to seafood).
• Dosage: adhere to the recommended daily intake of 11g. Taking too much will not necessarily produce a greater effect.

How to incorporate this latte into your workout routine

Here are some practical ideas:

• In the morning upon waking , as a replacement (or in addition) to your usual coffee: this gives you a hot drink with a functional dimension.
• Before or after light training : if you don't have a full protein shake, this latte can be a collagen “bonus” in your day.
• On rest days : drink this latte in the morning to maintain a regular supply of collagen, which is important to see lasting effects.

Enjoy your meal!